Job Snapshot

About Us

AF Group is committed to providing the best workers compensation product and customer service to companies and their employees across the country. Our specialized business model produces superior returns and we have a strong track record of outperforming the industry. By operating as a specialist we gain a competitive advantage and have created a lasting value for our stakeholders and customers.
Our size and specialization allow us to create significant economies of scale, and skill, for our operating units. We have the specialty expertise and financial strength and backing to make investments in technologies, processes and talent that other carriers cannot afford. This national footprint and strength is complimented by a regional market approach, with four distinct operating units that have an intimate knowledge of their customers, injured workers, and agents and brokers. Each operating unit offers superior underwriting, marketing, loss control and claims services in their niche and focused markets. The combination of a national footprint and strength with a local market expertise is what makes our organization so strong and enables our long-term outperformance of our peers.

Job Description

SUMMARY:

The Strategic Planning Advisor is responsible for managing functions related to annual and long-term strategic planning including but not limited to research, development, assessment, and implementation of various corporate strategies. This position partners closely with key stakeholders, providing enterprise-wide strategic initiative support by managing the selection, evaluation and recommendation of conceptual business plans, models and products to determine the best fit for the organization. They also facilitate alignment and approval of initiatives with executives, shareholders, and Board of Directors.

The Strategic Planning Advisor is responsible for operating in the capacity of trusted advisor to executive leadership and other business leaders. This position will work on many of the company's critical business needs and will work across the organization to develop and assess creative solutions and recommendations.

The position requires an understanding of multiple perspectives of corporate business, operational issues and their impact to the division and broader enterprise. It must exercise broad discretion and judgment in the acquisition of information and dissemination of the same. Make final decisions on team recommendations to company senior leadership, up to and including the President in association with business stakeholders and executive sponsors.

RESPONSIBILITIES/TASKS:

Lead the enterprise-wide strategic planning process for both annual and long-term plans including collaboration with business leads and communication/coordination across multiple functions

Develop presentations on strategies for all levels of the organization in an effort to educate, gain approvals or track progress; including board presentations, executive summits, town hall and other employee meetings.

Lead the business through strategy development to execution including managing projects and cross-functional resources that support the initiatives.

Create project deliverables including various written communications such as concept proposals, business plans, executive level summaries, and presentations for the executive leadership team and Board of Directors.

Serve as a key resource and thought partner to enterprise leadership by aligning, engaging, leading, and making significant contributions and/or influencing highly visible projects of strategic importance to the organization.

Perform market intelligent research to better understand the organization and its customers while keeping abreast of industry trends, competition and changes in the market to help guide strategic planning, initiative implementation and improvements.

Mentor project research teams and division leadership in the utilization of best practices, as well as plan development and analysis, risk, scope and budget management.

Manage vendor relationships and direct the work of teams sourced to various projects/systems.

This position description identifies the responsibilities and tasks typically associated with the performance of the position. Other relevant essential functions may be required.

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION OR EQUIVALENT

EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's Degree in insurance, business, information services or related field required. Masters degree preferred. Combination of relevant education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. Continuous learning, as defined by the Company's learning philosophy, is required. CPCU certification or progress toward certification is highly preferred and encouraged.

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum seven years of experience, including any full-time graduate studies. Consulting experience preferred. Progressive multi-faceted experience evaluating and planning strategies to solve management and business problems, including developing operational and strategic plans. Expert level experience with statistics and data analysis required. Innovation and development experience required. M&A experience preferred, including acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures, and other investment opportunities. Experience in y underwriting, manager, field marketing or business development role highly desirable.

Additional Experience for the Senior Strategic Planning Advisor:

Minimum ten years of experience, including any full-time graduate studies. Consulting experience preferred. Progressive multi-faceted experience evaluating and planning strategies to solve management and business problems, including developing operational and strategic plans. Expert level experience with statistics and data analysis required. Innovation and development experience required. One year demonstrated leadership ability. M&A experience preferred, including acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures, and other investment opportunities. Experience in underwriting, manager, field marketing or business development role highly desirable.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES (SKA) REQUIRED:

• Highly motivated self-starter with an ability to effectively manage a range of projects in an environment with changing priorities

Work with minimum supervision and exercise sufficient discretion and independent judgment.

Work is performed in an office setting with no unusual hazards. Travel is required.

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum education, experience, skills, knowledge and ability levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Diversity is valued and we will not tolerate discrimination or harassment in any form. Candidates for the position stated above are hired on an "at will" basis. Nothing herein is intended to create a contract.